Effects of tree structure on backscattering

Active remote sensing is very sensitive to the geometry of the object in question. Therefore the structure of a tree is not only a parameter of interest, but also a parameter that affects the backscattering. In satellite SAR images the resolution is typically rather coarse. Then the effect of individual trees is only one source of backscattering and the interaction of neighbour trees becomes important. In order to understand the complicated origin of backscattering from a group of trees, it is essential to be able to describe the backscattering from one tree in an effective way. The analysis of the effect of varying tree structure on backscattering is a demanding problem, when the tree structure is described using cylinders of several sizes. Good results have been obtained using tree growth models in combination with backscattering analysis. However, it is rather hard work to construct a whole forest of trees having varying and yet very detailed structure. Therefore it is desirable to have an easier, though not so precise, method to estimate the backscattering